Rev. Chong Yang of St. Paul Hmong Alliance Church gives us an in-depth look at evangelism in the Hmong community, starting with a basic understanding of the ancient cultural beliefs of shamans (witch doctors) and sorcerers. Rev. Yang shares how spiritual encounters and attacks are common in the Hmong community (Christians and non-Christians alike). And how Hmong churches need to have a strong foundation in the work of the Holy Spirit and His empowerment of healing, deliverance, and spiritual warfare, in order to share the Gospel to Hmong people.

We mourn the loss of Rev. Billy Graham while we celebrate his legacy and great influence in spreading the message and hope of Jesus Christ all over the world, especially right here in Minnesota. Graham was monumental in shaping the evangelical landscape of Minnesota through launching a Christian radio station, leading a local Christian University, founding the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association – long headquartered in Minneapolis, and leading four life-changing crusades in the Twin Cities. Rev. Graham’s preaching about Christ’s free gift of salvation will continue to be spread for generations to come. We, at Transform Minnesota, are grateful for the life of Rev. Billy Graham, for his leadership, vision, faith and most importantly love of Jesus and others that he so freely shared with the world.

The Super Bowl has come and gone. Unfortunately, so has much of the hype surrounding anti-trafficking efforts in our community. So, we at Transform Minnesota are calling on churches and faith leaders to continue in the fight against sex trafficking in our communities. By harnessing the momentum of the Super Bowl in Minneapolis, we hope churches will launch this anti-trafficking movement forward, to have long-term impact on the lives of rescued victims, and in the restoration of local perpetrators.

At Transform Minnesota, we believe the Church needs to tackle mental health. Our Spring 2018 Transform Ideas forum is focusing on the Church’s response to mental health. This is a personal testimony from Pastor Ned Eerdmans of CrossRoads Church in Fergus Falls. With strength and vulnerability, Pastor Ned shares his story of battling severe anxiety that crippled him, his marriage and his identity. How he found help and hope in his diagnosis through treatment, honesty and prayer.

Pastor Jordan Borer Nelson, of Shiloh Temple International Ministries shares how he leads weekly evangelism efforts in North Minneapolis. The community is one of the poorest communities in Minneapolis. But he says Shiloh is blessed to welcome those who have been delivered from drugs and gangs, and those who struggle with poverty, lack of education and lack of proper resources. Find our how Pastor Jordan models the church’s evangelism efforts after Jesus.

We are proud Carl Nelson, President of Transform Minnesota joins 1,200 church leaders from all 50 states in sending this letter to President Donald J. Trump and Members of Congress urging action to help vulnerable immigrants and to stand with refugees. This letter was published on the back page of the Washington Post’s front section.

On January 24th, a Crisis and Security Summit was held by AM 980 The Mission in Bloomington. This event was designed to help churches assess if they are prepared in the event of a crisis. Learn the warning signals before an act of violence is committed, how to protect your organization from a cyber attack, how to take advantage of current notification infrastructures during emergency situations, and ways to protect your organization from the increasing trend of mass shootings.

The largest predominantly African American denomination in the U.S. is bringing upwards of 30,000 people to Minneapolis over Labor Day week for their Annual Session, to be held at the Minneapolis Convention Center. Organizers say expect the cities to be swarming labor day weekend as delegates arrive early to shop and site-see. The convention’s presence will be felt across the entire city of Minneapolis, with plans to do evangelism, crime prevention, employment outreach, and opportunities to serve the homeless. The week will offer high energy praise and worship with reputable speakers. The general public is invited to attend the National Baptist Convention, USA Annual Session.

For our Pastor’s Column series on evangelism, Pastor Brian Gingrich of Hillside Church in Bloomington writes about how community is inextricably related to their evangelistic endeavors; how a context is created that is both nonthreatening and mutually interesting. Find out how coffee and badminton have cultivated a culture of outreach and authentic relationship-building. And Pastor Brian shares some important lessons he’s learned about evangelism and Millennials.